Arthroscopy ("arthros" — joint and "scopy" — to look at) is the mirroring of a joint using camera optics – the arthroscope This type of arthroscopy is performed on the knee, shoulder and wrist, if necessary. Incisions of only a few millimetres long are made in the joint that needs to be examined. A small camera and other instruments can then be inserted into the incision for examination, repair and treatment.
Arthroscopy is mainly used to clarify joint complaints and to examine joint injuries. The most common areas of application (indications) for arthroscopy are:
- Injuries or changes in the joint caused by an accident (traumatic), e.g. cartilage damage, torn ligaments, meniscus injuries,…
- Degenerative changes in the joint (wear and tear), e.g. osteoarthritis
- Inflammatory changes
During an arthroscopy, the doctor can already carry out repairs with additional instruments. These are usually inserted into the joint through tiny skin incisions. Arthroscopy has a clear advantage over open surgery: healthy joint structures are spared and the body is subjected to less stress. In addition, patients experience less pain after the procedure and the healing time is usually shorter. Doctors also refer to this as minimally invasive surgery.
